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Key to Subfamilies of Formicidae in the Southeastern United States (based on workers)
(modified from Creighton (1950) and Bolton (1994)
Couplet 4

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4(3) Horizontal frontal lobes absent or reduced as seen in full face view (figure 7); promesonotal suture always absent; the fourth abdominal tergite (the 2nd obvious segment of gaster) enlarged and strongly arched, and apex of gaster pointing anteriorly (figure 8); ...Proceratiinae
4' Horizontal frontal lobes present (figure 9); promesonotal suture usually present; abdominal segment 4 not greatly enlarged and apex of gaster directed posteriorly or downward (figure10) ...couplet 5
Figure 7. Proceratium sp., full face view, showing the lack of horizontal frontal lobes; lobes do not cover antennal bases.

Figure 9. Ponera pennsylvanica, full face view, showing horizontal frontal lobes, which cover the antennal bases.

Figure 8. Proceratium sp.,profile view, showing the lack of promesonotal suture, enlarged 4th abdominal segment, and apex of gaster directed anteriorly.
Figure 10. Ponera pennsylvanica, showing promesonotal suture, 4th abdominal tergite not greatly enlarged, and apex of gaster directed downward.